Time for Plan B [Newsletter]

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Aug 21, 2024

AC Milan officially kicked off their season on Saturday evening but instead of clinching all three points, they were held to a 2-2 draw against Torino. It wasn’t all doom and gloom thanks to the fighting spirit at the end, but it was still far from the result we wanted. On top of that, our new striker Alvaro Morata will miss the next two games due to a muscle injury.

Many would agree that the Spaniard’s injury is about the worst thing that could have happened, or at least the timing is awful. He sparked some life into the team when he came off the bench against Torino, as we discussed in the latest bonus, and most of us were hoping to see him from start against Parma. Now, however, Milan will have to revert to Plan B. Speaking of, what exactly is that?

Since Noah Okafor saved the day with his lovely volley effort on Saturday, fans have been discussing his role in the team and whether he should play from start or not. The consensus, at least based on what we have read, is that most fans would like to see him in the No.9 role. He’s clearly very lethal inside the box, speed is not an issue and he has added significant muscle over the last few months.

As a result of Morata’s injury, this idea is even more justified and it will be very interesting to see what decision Paulo Fonseca will make this weekend. Luka Jovic didn’t exactly have a successful season opener and one could argue that the players in form should play. That *should* also mean that we will get to see both Theo Hernandez and Tijjani Reijnders from the first minute.

In any case, while Morata’s injury is a kick in the balls, it must be said that Milan’s squad depth hasn’t been this good in years. Okafor is probably the best example of that as despite not getting consistent playing time, he has been able to show his qualities time after time. There are some super-sub tendencies there, but now is the time to give him a proper chance (if not now, when?).

On the mercato front, Milan announced Youssouf Fofana’s arrival on Saturday afternoon and he will likely be in the squad against Parma. However, given that he didn’t train properly with Monaco after the extended vacation, one could argue that giving him playing time would be a risk. Especially given the injury of Morata which has to be taken as a warning.

It remains to be seen if Milan will make any additional signings before the window closes, with some opportunities bound to emerge. The main issue on this front is the squad rules as the Rossoneri currently don’t have any open slots for foreign players. It would thus have to be an Italian-trained player like Federico Chiesa unless another prominent sale (after Pierre Kalulu) is made.

News Bulletin

➤ Milan Futuro made it two wins out of two to begin their first season as they came from behind to beat Novara in the Coppa Italia Lega Pro on Saturday, with Francesco Camarda netting a brace. In transfer news, there are attempts being made to sign Ajax's 19-year-old midfielder Silvano Vas.

➤ Some bad news came from the first game of the season against Torino, as Alvaro Morata played through and worsened a muscle issue which will now keep him out for three weeks. Paulo Fonseca is studying who should replace him, with Luka Jovic, Noah Okafor and even Rafael Leao considered.

➤ As we head towards the end of the mercato, Zlatan Ibrahimovic confirmed that Manu Kone is the target to complete the midfield. In order to land the Borussia Monchengladbach star some sales are needed, with three candidates above all on the market.

➤ Alexis Saelemaekers and Malick Thiaw were two of a few worrying notes from the 2-2 draw with Torino. A report diagnosed why things didn't go right for the Belgian, while the 'meteoric rise and slow decline' of Malick Thiaw was documented in another feature.

➤ Pierre Kalulu seems to be on his way to Juventus on a paid loan with an option to buy, a formula that has not been met with widespread approval judging by social media reactions. However, his exit will not be enough to free up a spot for another signing as the management continue their balancing act with the squad list.

➤ In our longer reads on the main website, we took a look at Fonseca's determination to play out from the back and the risk versus reward factor, compared the starting XIs from the past five season openers and did a deep dive into what Emerson Royal will bring.